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In this edition of the hotstove, we rank the top-5 wingers in the Western Conference.
Todd Cordell
1. Mark Stone - Arguably the best two-way player in the league. Produces 5v5 points with 1st line efficiency, completely neuters opposing offenses, and consistently gets great results. Stone’s teams have out-scored their opponents with him on the ice in all eight years of his career.
2. Matthew Tkachuk - Tkachuk is the total package. He is a high-end playmaker, he drives play, his defensive numbers are excellent despite playing on a shutdown line, and he’s an elite penalty drawer. One knock, so to speak, on Tkachuk coming through the ranks was about a lack of true going scoring ability. Well, he’s averaged 30 goals per 82 over the last three seasons. This may seem like a stretch but I really don’t think it is. He brings value in so many different ways.
3. Mikko Rantanen - Rantanen is a special offensive talent. His passing ability is among the league’s best and I think he is underrated as a finisher. Very few create offense like Rantanen; particularly on the power play.
4. Patrick Kane - He has produced at a 105 point pace over the last two seasons. That has a way of masking serious defensive issues.
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - RNH switched away from his natural position and produced at just under a PPG pace. I realize RNH has great centers to play with but he still deserves real credit for making such a seamless transition. What I like about Nuge is that he brings high-end offense to the table – at even-strength and on the power play – but is still responsible in his own zone.
Adam French
This list is slightly harder than the Eastern Conference in my opinion. Mainly because a guy like Draisaitl that can flip from centre to wing is more often regarded simply as a centreman.
1. Patrick Kane - Kane might be getting older and is certainly not the fresh faced youth that dominated the scene and playoffs. However Kane is still the best offensive winger in the Western Conference despite weaker linemates. This past season Kane ended the year with 84 points in 70 games and was on pace(ish) for another 100 point year. He's the poster boy for slick smallish players and THE current example of the type of player any winger under 5'10 should be trying to emulate. Elusive, quick and extremely intelligent on the ice. Even at 31, he's the best winger in the Conference.
2. Mikko Rantanen - This one might be more "faith based" than the others as Rantanen had a disappointing year due to injuries. He proved his worth in the playoffs however and showed the blossoming point getting forward we expect to see. He and MacKinnon have formed one of the most deadly duos in the NHL...and you add Landeskog as the trio and you have some serious issues to deal with. Great on the PP or 5 vs 5, he brings that unique balance of size and skill that every team salivates over. Expect a 100 point season out of him if we ever get back to normal.
3. Mark Stone - Stone didn't have the huge jump in numbers that might have been expected, however he has still proven to be one of the best two-way wingers in the league. He's not Marian Hossa, but he's certainly proving to be a force in his own right. He's one of the few wingers to ever get any credit for being a defensive wizard and I feel that if you add that dimension to his game to his strong offensive game, you have a complete player. Stone is the model for two-way wingers these days. He can get into the muck, he can help outskill opponents and most importantly he can take opportunities away from the opponent. A near PPG with his defensive abilities is an obvious plus.
4. Kyle Connor - Connor was one of my favourite players in the 2015 draft and I audibly gasped when the Bruins made their 3rd and final first round choice without picking him. You could tell this was an elite goal scorer coming in. He's only proven to be just that over the past 3 seasons in which he has 31, 34 and 38 goals. He was well on pace for a 40+ goal year and I expect he will again if given the chance. A not so great "playoffs" for a not so great Jets team might take a little bit of the shine off him, but I expect him to be even deadlier next year as he enters his prime years.
5. Matthew Tkachuk - Now this one was hard because I think he might actually fit better at 4, but Connor had the better year. Tkachuk is a unique player and that really resonates with me. Like the Lucic's, Bifulugilien's etc. the unique skill set of a player can really make you stand out from the crowd. Tkachuk is one of those. He's a rat, he's a pest, he'll murder you when you turn your back and then cry like a baby if you hit back. He'll out skill you in a pinch or get dirty in the crease like an AHL journeyman desperate to carve out a few days at NHL pay. He's the type of player you love to love and love to hate...depending on allegiance. Again a poor playoffs might make a J.T. Miller or RNH more palatable, but I'm going with the guy who gets most everything done in the 5 hole.
Sean Maloughney
1.) Patrick Kane - Remains a top force in the NHL and one of the most creative players in the league. Kane's ability to move in the offensive end, combined with a deadly accurate shot earns him this top spot. One of the most consistent players in the league.
2.) Kyle Connor - The 23 year old has put up three 30+ goal seasons in a row and would have cracked 40 for the first time this last season. Connor is an absolute force at 5 on 5 and has produced the 10th most goals in the league (50) over the past two seasons. He is tied with Brendan Gallagher in this category.
3.) Mikko Rantanen - Injuries kept Rantanen back this past season but he remains a deadly good player. Not only is he able to pot a ton of goals but Rantanen is arguably the best playmaker in this group aside from Patrick Kane.
4.) Matt Tkachuk - Tkachuk has firmly entrenched himself as the Flames top player, providing a mix of physicality and grit to some strong 5 on 5 numbers as well. He may not ever be a 90 point player but he can be a consistent 70+ point producer who makes life difficult for the opposition.
5.) Patrik Laine - Connor might get more of the buzz right now in Winnipeg but the big Finn is still one of the most deadly scorers in the NHL. With 138 goals in 305 games, Laine is an absolute sniper, but over the past couple seasons he has begun to round out his game in other facets. Despite a shortened season, Laine had a career high in assists this past year with 35. Will not be surprised to see him in the running for a Rocket Trophy next season.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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